How to Clean the Garbage Shredder

The kitchen shredder is a great device that gets rid of food crumbs in a jiffy. Although it has a self-cleaning function, the shredder requires some care and attention from time to time to keep it in good condition and prevent odors. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to clean your garbage disposal safely and effectively, and provide some helpful information on its maintenance.

Table of Contents

Cleaning the garbage disposal

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Remove jammed objects manually. If a large object is stuck in the shredder, you will have to remove it before you start cleaning. The first important thing to do is disconnect the circuit breaker that supplies power to the device. ^{[1] X Research Source} This is to ensure that the machine does not turn on during cleaning. You can also turn off the power underneath the sink, depending on the design of the machine.

Use pliers or tongs to remove the stuck object (you may have to shine a flashlight to see it clearly), being careful not to damage the device. ^{[2] X Research Source}
If possible, you should do your best to avoid reaching into the shredder. If you need to use your hands, you must double check to make sure that the machine will not operate unexpectedly. Be careful because the blade of the machine is very sharp.

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Flush water. Just rinsing with water is enough to remove loose dirt or residue. Cover the sink stopper, spray a little dish soap, and turn on the hot water faucet to run into the sink to 5-10 cm. Remove the stopper and turn on the garbage disposal to let the water run down. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Remember to use hot water instead of cold water, as hot water will dissolve grease in the drain hole and wash it away.
This method of flushing the drain is much more effective than just turning the faucet on, as the entire shredder is flushed and carried away with accumulated debris.

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Use ice cubes and salt. Grinding ice cubes and salt in the shredder is a great way to get rid of dirt and debris stuck to the grinder. Pour 2 cups of ice cubes into the shredder, then add 1 cup of rock salt. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Turn on the shredder, add a little cold water and let the machine crush the ice and salt. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
An alternative to ice cubes and rock salt is to freeze white vinegar into ice cubes and crush in a garbage disposal. ^{[6] X Research Sources}
In addition to cleaning the machine, the ice-crushing method also sharpens the blades and eliminates unpleasant odors.

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Scrub with a cleaning brush or an old toothbrush. You can clean the inside of the shredder with an old toothbrush or a brush designed for the shredder. If possible, remove the screen above the drain hole first so it’s both easy to see and easy to scrub.

Deodorant

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Use citrus peels. A natural and very effective way to clean your shredder and make your kitchen smell good is to grind a handful of citrus peels. Any citrus fruit will work – oranges, lemons, grapefruits. The citric acid in the peel will clean the blades and deodorize. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Next to the citrus peel, you can add some spices, rosemary or lavender essential oil for more fresh fragrance.

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Use baking soda and vinegar. Baking soda and vinegar are a great duo to help get rid of odors. Sprinkle half a cup of baking soda into the drain, then pour in another cup of white vinegar. The mixture will bubble and bubble. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with very hot or boiling water while the machine is running. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Wash the shredder with a little bleach. Bleach is very effective at killing germs and quickly gets the drain clean again. However, you should not use a lot of bleach, as it can make the grease in the shredder harden and difficult to clean. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Dilute 1 tablespoon of chlorine bleach solution with 4 little water and slowly pour into the machine.
Leave the bleach in the machine for 1-2 minutes, then run hot water for a few minutes to rinse the bleach away. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Maintenance of garbage disposal

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Only put biodegradable food waste in the shredder. The first rule of thumb in using a shredder is to avoid putting anything non-biodegradable in it. A garbage disposal is not a trash can, and it would be disastrous if you used it to dispose of the inappropriate. You can limit damage and reduce cleaning time by only grinding biodegradable food waste. Things you should avoid putting in the shredder include:

Fibers like onion skins, corn cobs, artichokes, and celery. These can get tangled up in the motor, so it’s a good idea to compost them instead of putting them in the shredder.
Starchy substances like potato skins. Starch can form a thick powder that sticks to the blades in the machine.
Foods that can swell like rice or noodles. These can expand in water and clog drainage holes. Coffee grounds can also clog drains.
However, you can grind up trash like eggshells, small fish or chicken bones, and small fruit seeds, as these can actually help clean the shredder.

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Let the shredder run a little longer each time you use it. A mistake many people make is turning off the machine as soon as the noise is gone. However, you should let the machine run (and turn on the tap water) for a few seconds after the noise has subsided, as there may be small debris left in the machine.

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Avoid pouring grease down the drain hole. You should not pour any oil, grease or fat into the shredder. Grease can build up in the machine, slow down the speed of the motor and stick in the tube, causing blockage. You should try to wipe off grease in pans and fryers with paper towels before washing.

Advice

If the shredder has trouble grinding the citrus zest, add a few ice cubes.
You should avoid pouring oil down the drain. Oil causes food to stick to the wall of the pipe and form deposits in the tube, which slows down the drainage of water.
When cleaning the shredder, turn on the hot water and pour a little vegetable oil or any other oil into the machine. Continue to let the hot water run for about 10 seconds after pouring about ¼ cup of the oil down. You can then pour the bleach down the drain hole and continue to let the water run for about 2 more minutes.

Warning

Be sure to turn off the power to the shredder before bringing your hand near it. The blades of the machine are very sharp, and you could be seriously injured if the machine suddenly turns on while cleaning.

Steps

Cleaning the garbage disposal

Deodorant

Maintenance of garbage disposal

Advice

Warning

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